Sports Night: 49ers’ quarterly report card – overall ‘D’

Through a quarter of the NFL season, the 49ers earn a “D” grade from The Bee’s Matt Barrows. It’s the kind of report card that could get most kids grounded. Missing pieces on defense and an offense that is in freefall contribute to the below-average mark.

Kings coach George Karl doesn’t see his team’s hiring of Nancy Lieberman as an assistant coach, or that of Becky Hammon by the Spurs, as a big deal. Which is definitely a sign of progress. “I don’t want to overstate anything,” Karl says. “Nancy’s a basketball coach. All that hype about hiring a woman? All we care about is getting better as a team.”

Back in February, Darren Collison was suffering discomfort linked to a core muscle injury that required surgery, and he missed the rest of the season. Now the point guard feels like a new man and showed it in Monday’s preseason opener, a 109-105 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Collison had 22 points and 10 assists – and believes he’s ready for a big season.

Dallas Keuchel pitches three-hit ball for six innings, Colby Rasmus and Carlos Gomez each homer, and the Houston Astros beat the New York Yankees 3-0 in the American League wild-card game. The Astros advance to the American League Division Series, where they will face the defending A.L. champion Kansas City Royals. Game 1 is Thursday night. Keuchel worked 16 scoreless innings against the Yankees in the regular season, and the bearded 20-game winner was just as tough pitching on three days’ rest for the first time in his career.

After one season as the Giants’ top minor-league affiliate, the River Cats will go a little orange next season with a new alternative uniform. Want a hint? Think “Sactown.” Not enough of a hint? Click this link to see the new uniform top and hat.

Look, if you don’t vote you can’t complain. So earn that right to complain – or celebrate – the latest Prep Football Player of the Week. Voting ends Thursday at noon. Remember when that seemed so far away?

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